Beltane (New Zealand)

Beltane – Auld Toby

This band is pretty well known by now in the underground today. The fact is that Beltane is one of the first black metal acts that still is active all back since 1994 and with a lot of good releases in their back. This album that is their fifth full length (their sixth one is out when this is written). Album begins first with the slower dark and very melodical track "Return to Irongate" that is a damn good one and worth a lot as it is one of the best (more to come). The second track "Shelley Beach" is a very raw and intense track that really shows that Beltane can do fast music with lots of melody in it. Third track "Shadow Knights" is a bit of masterpiece and sounds a lot of a mix between dark metal, Iron Maiden, Manowar and this one must really be heard if you will understand what I mean, this is so fucking good. Fourth one "Yet Again" is very much Beltane, but with a bit of sound of symphonic / melodical and industrial parts somehow, real good and has a bit of a feeling from old Darkthrone and Burzum in it too. "Intro ov Death" is a bit like "Shelley Beach", but with a more sick feeling in it and is a introduction for the sixth track. And this one is one of the albums absolutely best tracks I believe personally "of course". It has a feeling of both black/viking and folk metal and some old traditional heavy metal. Real heavy one and with a great melody that you sucks in to a bit. Seventh one "Cape D´evil III-Lux Lucis Domus" is a melodical and also a very raw track that has a touch of goth in it. In fact I can inform that much in Beltanes music has a bit of both dark and heathen black metal and some gothic symphonic feelings. So those who are into many genres will not be disappointed here, I can guarantee. Next track called "Navigator" has even more goth rock feeling inside and also much industrial / electronical touch as weel, this track reminds me much of Blutengel and old Die Krupps, real nice and dark track, also one of my favorites. Track nine "A Dark Godess" returns more into the typical Beltane sound with pure raw black metal and with a true evil atmosphere in it. Also here I got the vibes from older bands from the early days, good as hell. Last track "From the Dark" is one hell of a good job, it starts up with some good introduction on drums and has a nice and heavy guitar that leads in and opening up a melody and musical thing that is so much Beltane and to be honest this band is worth much more than just a review. Some extra note, this album includes several great guest artists that gives the special feeling and very dark/heavy/melodical touch, but wihtout Xan and Baphgirl it would never be Beltane. This release is one of the best albums that have came out during 2011 I think without any doubts and even as they are a very underground, but known band they really proves that not just those "famous or true fashion" metal bands can do it and do it damn good :) 
www.angelfire.com/band2/beltane

Beltane (New Zealand)

 

T: The CD. “Auld Toby” is the band's last Beltane material such comments from the media and the support of the people?

X: It's not the new one now...! hehe That's "Doomstice" and as far it has been circulated seems to be very well received. (T: I send this interview a long time ago)

T: Why the name for their latest CD. “Auld Toby”? How many copies have been made?

X: “Auld Toby” might ov course be the leaf that Hobbits smoke but he's also an actual Black Metal DJ from a little radio station in Eketahuna. And that's significant 'cause it's on the way to Castlepoint.

T: In the CD. “Auld Toby” these people have also contributed: Dan Lilker, Tamara Picardo, Mark Dubanowski, Chris Warhead, Kvathairein, Giles Lavery & Noslohcin. Can you tell us in which subjects and contributed?

X: Dan played bass on a Manowar cover we did. Tamara did some keys. Chris & Mark did drums. Kvath did some guitar I seem to remember on that one. Noslohcin was *forced* to do some vocals on "A Dark Goddess". Giles wrote and sang on Shadow Knights, which is another song about our antics in "The Cem" from back in the day.

T: How have you gone with the dissemination and promotion of new CD. “Auld Toby”?

X: Like most CDs we have put out, the promotion is fairly basic, however that album has sold well and continues to sell quite well mainly on it's own merits I presume.

T: What usually hear bands and perhaps inspire you to create new styles for Beltane and who treat their subjects?

X: I don't base anything I write for Beltane on what I hear from other bands. I just write it how it comes out. No doubt unconcious influences show through from time to time.

T: Have you received an offer from a record in another country for material or is exclusive of Satanica Productions?

X: We also have releases on several other small labels. Some are the same as the ones on Satanica, others are unique to those labels.

T: How would you define your style? Do you think throwing each CD sound different? Do you always innovating?

X: We define our sound broadly as "Gothic Industrial Black Metal" or loosely as simply "Black Metal". We're never necessarily seeking to innovate as such, just sound like ourselves and write what is natural to us. It does clearly sound much different from many bands and most certainly stands out as not being the same as millions ov others.

T: Why the name of Satanica to your production and since when has worked and how many bands have already launched and supported?

X: Cause I saw a cool movie years ago called 'Day of the Beast' and there was a band (fictional I presume) on it called Satanica - I thought it sounded pretty decent. And since we are actually Satanists it kind ov makes sense..heh There are currently nearly 250 bands/projects on the label and it's primary purpose is to indeed support the underground by providing an essentially non-judgemental outlet for bands and solo artists.

T: How is the scene in New Zealand? What do you recommend bands and magazines?

X: I'm afraid to report that most ov the N.Z. scene is nothing but a huge circle-jerk that we have largely been excluded from - but then again now I put it like that maybe it's best we are not in the midst ov it cause we don't want to get covered in the spunk ov mediocrity..! haha However there are certainly some cool bands out there, one I am finding quite intesting at the moment is one that we released on Satanica recently called Sinister Numen.

T: What concerts with bands that have played and if you have played with bands from other countries?

X: Beltane has supported Impaled Nazarene & Christian Death. In my old band, Daemon, I toured with Brutal Truth and opened for Pantera.

T: Do you prepare to play outside their country or perhaps some tour?

X: We haven't really prepared as we honestly don't have much desire these days to propel ourselves overseas via our own efforts/funding. But if someone wants us to play somewhere we'll certainly look at their offer.

T: Anything you want to add to our readers of The Legion Of Tchort? Where can we purchase your Beltane merchandise as well as Satanica Productions?

X: Our new album will be released on September 19th (2013). Beltane CDs can be purchased from either http://www.satanica.org  or direct from Beltane's oldschool website. http://www.angelfire.com/band2/beltane   I would encourage people to check out Satanica though as there are many other really good bands available and the customers often get killer deals. Thanx TchorT..!